• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


24 ST Build progress

C

CoHPhasor

Member
#21
Messages
297
Reactions
177
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#21
UNBROKEN said:
Here’s my opinion…take it as you will.
The oem bushings allow the diff to move but that’s not abnormal or really detrimental. The Steeda brace with 2 bushings (I don’t know what durometer) firms up the rear but the front rubber bushings still allow pinion rise on hard acceleration moving all the stress to the diff brace. If the bushings are too hard…the mounting hardware takes a beating and you wind up with this…some folks have said within 2 weeks. Steeda says they’ve revised the hardware but a few have still said they’re snapping studs. Steeda will also sell you their poly bushing inserts for the front to lock the diff down even further.
I honestly just don’t think it’s necessary…but Steeda sells plenty of parts so others agree with them. I personally think the ID Speed brace that was designed to work with the oem bushings to mimic the oem 4 bolt diff is the better design. The fact that it’s been out a lot longer and had zero failures would support that opinion.

View attachment 23752
Click to expand...
That is a good point.
I bought the front poly bushings too, assuming this mismatch might be a problem as well.
I almost went I.D.
 

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #22
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #22
Actually made this next purchase/install out of aesthetics need more than anything. The front strut tower brace that Ford provided is just ugly, so I ordered and installed the Steeda brace. So much more solid of a piece than the stamped steel provided. Love the fit and look, and bonus, it holds a long stem funnel perfectly for filling the oil after a change. :cool:

IMG_7025.jpeg
 

C

CoHPhasor

Member
#24
Messages
297
Reactions
177
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#24
AggieSVT said:
Actually made this next purchase/install out of aesthetics need more than anything. The front strut tower brace that Ford provided is just ugly, so I ordered and installed the Steeda brace. So much more solid of a piece than the stamped steel provided. Love the fit and look, and bonus, it holds a long stem funnel perfectly for filling the oil after a change. :cool:

View attachment 23753
Click to expand...
Nice!
Not only is the stamped one ugly, the flex is LAUGHABLE
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#26
Messages
4,640
Reactions
5,543
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#26
AggieSVT said:
Cookie sheets in our kitchen have less flex :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
It’s weak because it was never meant to be anything other than cosmetic. The actual bracing is under the cowl panels where the strut towers are triangulated to the firewall via large, tubular braces. This is also why aftermarket braces are cosmetic only and don’t actually improve the handling any. It’s been discussed ad nauseam here if someone wanted to search and read about it.
 

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #27
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #27
UNBROKEN said:
It’s weak because it was never meant to be anything other than cosmetic. The actual bracing is under the cowl panels where the strut towers are triangulated to the firewall via large, tubular braces. This is also why aftermarket braces are cosmetic only and don’t actually improve the handling any. It’s been discussed ad nauseam here if someone wanted to search and read about it.
Click to expand...
“Actually made this next purchase/install out of aesthetics need more than anything. “

:sneaky::sneaky::sneaky:
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#28
Messages
4,640
Reactions
5,543
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#28
AggieSVT said:
“Actually made this next purchase/install out of aesthetics need more than anything. “

:sneaky::sneaky::sneaky:
Click to expand...
I saw that…also saw the posts about how flexible the oem part is. Knowing it’s only cosmetic…it could be made of cardboard and not matter.
 

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #29
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #29
Also did some interior mods as well. These are purely looks driven. Early on someone on the Interior Modifications section displayed a black insert for the center console. Found one I liked with the carbon fiber look. Also added the silver pedals which for the cost were a really cool addition (excuse the dirty mat)

IMG_7031.jpeg IMG_7032.jpeg IMG_7034.jpeg
 

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #30
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #30
Like the chrome lug nuts, the chrome exhaust tips have bothered me since I brought it home. Stopped by a local muffler shop after work one day, explained what I was looking for, and the guy completely understood what I was trying to do.

Boring before picture -

IMG_7041.jpeg


Had him cut off the chrome tips and weld on 4” black tips.

IMG_7048.jpeg IMG_7049.jpeg IMG_7050.jpeg
 

powerboatr

powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
#31
Messages
645
Reactions
400
Points
82
Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#31
That ruby red is just the shiiiiit
It got me. And we came home with a f250
 

Attachments

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #32
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #32
powerboatr said:
That ruby red is just the shiiiiit
It got me. And we came home with a f250
Click to expand...
Nice!! The color is striking!
 

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #33
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #33
Couple more additions to help with the rear differential. I added a tougher rear differential bolt and the JXB rear diff insert. Yes I know the text is upside down, didn’t notice until I looked at the pictures :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

IMG_7343.jpeg

IMG_7346.jpeg
 

powerboatr

powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
#34
Messages
645
Reactions
400
Points
82
Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#34
OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #36
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #36
After a full detail, decided to get some pics with an appropriate background

IMG_7455.jpeg IMG_7352.jpeg IMG_7404.jpeg IMG_7398.jpeg
 

powerboatr

powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
#37
Messages
645
Reactions
400
Points
82
Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#37
Lucid red is killer all cleaned up
 

MacandCheeseST

MacandCheeseST

Member
#38
Messages
250
Reactions
127
Points
37
Location
CONNECTICUT
Vehicle
2020 EXPLORER ST
#38
UNBROKEN said:
Here’s my opinion…take it as you will.
The oem bushings allow the diff to move but that’s not abnormal or really detrimental. The Steeda brace with 2 bushings (I don’t know what durometer) firms up the rear but the front rubber bushings still allow pinion rise on hard acceleration moving all the stress to the diff brace. If the bushings are too hard…the mounting hardware takes a beating and you wind up with this…some folks have said within 2 weeks. Steeda says they’ve revised the hardware but a few have still said they’re snapping studs. Steeda will also sell you their poly bushing inserts for the front to lock the diff down even further.
I honestly just don’t think it’s necessary…but Steeda sells plenty of parts so others agree with them. I personally think the ID Speed brace that was designed to work with the oem bushings to mimic the oem 4 bolt diff is the better design. The fact that it’s been out a lot longer and had zero failures would support that opinion.

View attachment 23752
Click to expand...
I’m on my 4th set of hardware… fortunately Steeda replaces and ships it for free.. I have all the components you can buy for the rear diff, bushings bolts etc.. and sheer these off after a few hard launches within a short period of time.. I don’t think these were rated for 700plus.. never had this problem until I was north of 650whp/tq.. but I’ve seen folks snapping them at the 500 range… but I ld rather these break than anything else lol
 

OP
AggieSVT

AggieSVT

Member
Thread Starter #40
Messages
41
Reactions
34
Points
12
Location
Dallas, Texas
Vehicle
2024 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #40
Frankenstein said:
Which tips are those? That's exactly what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
They were pretty generic, I am unsure of the brand that he had. 4” opening 6” long with I believe 2.75” inlet
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top